Peamenüü

The Riigikogu is the parliament of Estonia. Its 101 members are elected at general elections for a term of four years. The Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions, exercises parliamentary supervision and ratifies international agreements.

The Riigikogu has 11 standing commitees and 6 select committees. Commitees of investigation and study committees are formed to investigate issues of public interest or problems of significant imprtance.

The Riigikogu discussed amending the State Family Benefits Act

22.09.2009 / Sitting reviews

On the motion of the Social Affairs Committee as leading committee the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to § 6 of the State Family Benefits Act (497 SE), initiated by the Estonian People’s Union Faction, was concluded. The purpose of the Bill is to establish child care allowance to parents raising children older than eight years in case they are unemployed. According to the Bill, parents would receive child care allowance during the whole period they are registered as unemployed at the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The aim of the Bill is to alleviate the economic situation of unemployed families with children and guarantee them conditions for coping economically with reduced income. The Bill was sent to the second reading.

On the motion of the Environment Committee as the leading committee, the first reading ofthe Bill on Amendments to the Nature Conservation Act (528 SE), initiated by the Estonian Green Party Faction, was concluded. The Bill aims to restrict the regeneration cutting and clear cutting of forest in limited management zones of protected areas and in special conservation areas. The purpose of the Bill is to guarantee the effective protection of biological diversity of forests in limited management zones of protected areas and in special conservation areas. The Bill was sent to the second reading.

On the motion of the Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction, the Bill on Amendments to § 48 of the Income Tax Act (478 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 49 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 41 against, nobody abstained. Thus, the Bill was withdrawn from the legislative proceeding. The Finance Committee as leading committee moved to conclude the first reading.

On the motion of the Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction, the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (520 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 49 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 35 against, nobody abstained. Thus, the Bill was withdrawn from the legislative proceeding.